1 review for Sense & Sensibility The Elegant Lady’s Closet – Drawstring Gown
Rated 4 out of 5
Christine Rogalsky –
I only tried the one dress of the two provided versions in this pattern. I had to give up on it before I did the finishing, because the back was far too narrow, to the point where I couldn’t get my arms through once I put the sleeves on. This didn’t show in fitting, because the drawstring front makes it difficult to determine the fit before the bodice is finished. I normally have to bring the shoulder of patterns in, but this was the opposite. Due to the shoulder seams being dropped in the back, I can’t even figure out how to re-shape the bodice so that I can wear it, without entirely sacrificing the period construction. Ms. Chancey explains on her site that she deliberately doesn’t size the shoulders wider, as this results in the shoulders being too wide in plus sizes, but at size 14 I found them too narrow. I know that period armholes are supposed to pull the arms back, but when I can’t get the dress on, it’s something more than just that. It might work in smaller sizes, I may have missed a step in the somewhat confusing instructions, or if you fit in off-the-rack clothing then perhaps this will fit in a way that I just can’t predict. If you do want to try this, be prepared to guess at some of the steps, although if you’re familiar with sewing techniques and how to construct a dress in general, it’s fairly easy to do. On the plus side, I found this extremely easy to make, although if you’re not picky about the line and intend to wear modern underthings, I suggest changing the suggested lining to a more conventional one.
Christine Rogalsky –
I only tried the one dress of the two provided versions in this pattern. I had to give up on it before I did the finishing, because the back was far too narrow, to the point where I couldn’t get my arms through once I put the sleeves on. This didn’t show in fitting, because the drawstring front makes it difficult to determine the fit before the bodice is finished. I normally have to bring the shoulder of patterns in, but this was the opposite. Due to the shoulder seams being dropped in the back, I can’t even figure out how to re-shape the bodice so that I can wear it, without entirely sacrificing the period construction. Ms. Chancey explains on her site that she deliberately doesn’t size the shoulders wider, as this results in the shoulders being too wide in plus sizes, but at size 14 I found them too narrow. I know that period armholes are supposed to pull the arms back, but when I can’t get the dress on, it’s something more than just that. It might work in smaller sizes, I may have missed a step in the somewhat confusing instructions, or if you fit in off-the-rack clothing then perhaps this will fit in a way that I just can’t predict. If you do want to try this, be prepared to guess at some of the steps, although if you’re familiar with sewing techniques and how to construct a dress in general, it’s fairly easy to do. On the plus side, I found this extremely easy to make, although if you’re not picky about the line and intend to wear modern underthings, I suggest changing the suggested lining to a more conventional one.